FAQ

BEFORE YOUR SHOOT:

HOW FAR IN ADVANCE SHOULD WE BOOK?

I recommend 1-2 months in advance, even longer during the spring and summer months. I do try to keep some flexibility in my schedule however for last minute requests. Shoot us an email at Katie@Katiedonnellyphotography.com and let’s schedule something!

HOW DO WE BOOK OUR SESSION:

It's simple, get in touch with us to find a date and time that's best for your family portraits. Once we have the number of hours you'd like we'll send you an email through which you can answer a few basic questions (takes about 30 seconds), and pay the session fee. Once we have received these two things, you're booked!

WHAT IS THE BEST TIME OF DAY TO PHOTOGRAPH?

Before sunset and just after sunrise. If you're looking for an empty Paris, go with the sunrise session! If you want to get a little bit of Paris by night and don't mind more people around (especially in the more touristy areas) then request a sunset slot! Either way you're sure to get that beautiful Parisian light that we've fallen in love with.

DO YOU HAVE FAVORITE LOCATIONS IN PARIS TO PHOTOGRAPH?

Yes! Our top three favorite spots are Palais Royal, the Luxembourg Gardens and Montmartre. Runner-ups: The Marais, Versailles, Parc Monceau, the garden in Musee Rodin. If you would like to venture outside of Paris, the vineyards in Bordeaux, the lavender fields in Provence and the gorgeous cliffs in Étretat and Normandy are gorgeous options.

We also LOVE doing at-home sessions… they are so intimate and beautiful, it’s lovely to make “your” space part of the session. This goes for both family and couples sessions. If you’re here only for a few days and have rented an apartment or have a larger hotel room, let’s do some photos there!

DO YOU HAVE FAVORITE LOCATIONS IN NEW YORK CITY TO PHOTOGRAPH?

Yes! NYC is famous not only for it's incredible architecture but for it's parks. Central Park, the Highline, and Park Slope are all great areas along with the streets of the West Village, Chelsea Market, Lincoln Center, and Battery Park. What we love is to get you in your element and the neighborhood you call home.

WHAT SHOULD WE WEAR!?

We have a HUGE what to wear guide exclusively for my clients that I’ll share with you once you've booked! Be sure to read your booking confirmation email!

WHAT IF I WANT A NEWBORN SESSION?

Newborn sessions are unique because you never know exactly when the baby will come! Get in touch with me before the baby's birth so we can plan for a time range as well as send you all of the info you'll need on prepping for a newborn session. Preview: it'll be stress free!

DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS FOR PREPPING FOR OUR SESSION?

Yes! Go here for newborn sessions. Go over here for on-location family and couples sessions. Access our full guide by signing up for the KDP newsletter HERE

HOW CAN WE PAY?

We accept cash, bank transfer, credit, and French or American checks.

DURING YOUR SHOOT:

WE’VE NEVER HAD PHOTOS DONE BEFORE AND DON’T KNOW HOW TO POSE, WILL YOU DIRECT US?

Yes! We will show you how to pose and then let the emotions come naturally. We'll be talking throughout the whole session, asking you questions, somehow funny stories always come out and it’s more like hanging out with friends taking a few photos than having a photo session. I promise, none of our KDP clients are models, we simply have fun and it comes out in the photographs!

HOW MANY LOCATIONS CAN WE DO IN A SESSION?

In a 1 hour time frame, we stick to 1 location or 2 quick ones and get a ton of variety in those neighborhoods. Depending what you are interested in we’ll give you recommendations of how long we will need.

CAN WE ADD ON TIME?

Yes! Our sessions are up to 3 hours, if you feel that this is not enough time, we can add on extra hours or additional time another day.

CAN WE BRING MULTIPLE OUTFITS?

Yes! If you don’t want to completely change, other options are adding on accessories like hats, jumpers, scarves or cute jackets.

SHOULD WE BRING PROPS?

I’m totally into props that can be naturally added into the session. I think flowers, balloons, maps, hats, games, picnic materials, even a bottle of champagne can be fun! Just let us know before so we can prepare our ideas for photographs!

WHAT HAPPENS IF IT RAINS?

A few days before your photo session I'll confirm the time and day as well as check in to see if you have any last minute questions. If the weather forecast is really terrible we will try to switch to a different time either the same day, the following day or the day before, whichever day has the best weather. If that's not possible schedule wise we will break out the nice umbrellas and head around Paris, making some stops at different covered areas like cafés, covered markets and other areas. If you're living in Paris we will schedule to the next best available day for you. In general we try to stay as flexible as possible for my clients so we can always find a good time!

CAN WE GET DIGITAL FILES?

Yes. You can purchase digital files after your session, they are not included in our session fees. Shoot us an email for pricing!

WHAT KIND OF PRODUCTS DO YOU OFFER?

Glad you asked! We offer a variety of gorgeous, museum archival-quality products and heirlooms including hand designed albums, beautifully crafted hardwood framing, prints, and art canvas wraps. Send us an email for more info on all of these or make an appointment to come in to our studio in the 6ème arrondissement in Paris and see them in person!

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER OUR SESSION?

After your session we'll set up a time to meet at our studio and have your viewing session. This can be as quick as the same day or the following week. During this viewing session we'll show you your photos, choose your favorites, and look at what's right for you in terms of prints, wall art and other products like our beloved albums! Most of our clients want a showstopper for their wall and gifts for family along with some smaller prints for around the house. That said, there is no minimum purchase, you choose what you love! Everything is shipped to you worldwide (Without an outrageous shipping fee, promise!)

WILL YOU DELETE OUR PHOTOS AFTER WE ORDER?

Of course not, each session comes with an online gallery through which you can order additional prints and products at your leisure. This gallery stays up for around 9 months. After the gallery expires, the photos will be archived offline. To unarchive them, essentially bringing them out of retirement, there's a small fee (€50) for the time spent finding and putting your gallery up again. The archival times are flexible so if at any time you'd like your gallery stay up for a little longer, just let us know and we'll make it happen. No stress!

PRIVACY:

We NEVER ever ever EVER share photos if you aren't okay with it. Just let us know.

EVERYTHING ELSE:

DO YOU OFFER PROMOTIONS?

Yes but only once or twice a year! Sign up for my newsletter (at the bottom of the page) so you're the first to receive exclusive updates and promotions!

HOW LONG IS OUR GALLERY UP FOR? WHAT HAPPENS AFTER IT EXPIRES?

Each online gallery is up for 9 months, after which it's archived offline. If you'd like to extend the time of your gallery please be sure to contact us before it expires. If your gallery is expired and archived, there is an un-archival fee of 150e and a wait time of up to a week.

WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION POLICY?

Cancellation up to 14 days before your session is fully refundable. Between 14 days and 24 hours before your session, the session fee may be used towards a session in the future, gifted to a friend, or used as a credit on the Weekend Globetrotter print shop. No-shows are non-refundable/non-transferable under any circumstances. Rescheduling (if new requested date and time is possible for KDP) may be done once (after that there's a 50e rescheduling fee), and must be confirmed by both parties at least 24 hours in advance.

WHAT ABOUT LATENESS?

Any time due to your lateness is forfeited. Please allow ample time to arrive at the scheduled meeting spot. If you don't know the city well, please leave extra 'getting lost' time so we can start right on time.

DO YOU PHOTOGRAPH ANYWHERE OTHER THAN IN FRANCE?

YES! We are available for worldwide travel! We're frequently traveling around Europe and the USA so don’t hesitate to ask for upcoming dates! Please contact us at katie@katiedonnellyphotography.com